On May 26 and May 27, 2026, Jackie protected Sandy and Luna at the Big Bear eagle nest in California as heavy winds swept through the mountains, turning two late-May nights into a powerful reminder that even nearly grown eaglets are still sheltered by their mother.
Sandy and Luna are no longer the tiny nestlings that once vanished beneath Jackie’s chest feathers. At seven weeks old, they are dark, sturdy, and beginning to fill the nest with the size and shape of young bald eagles. Their wings are stronger, their bodies are heavier, and each day pulls them closer to the next stage of life in the tall Jeffrey pine.
But when the wind rose over Big Bear, Jackie came back to them.
The nest sticks rattled. The branches shifted. The bowl moved beneath the gusts, and Jackie stepped into place near Sandy and Luna as her eaglets tucked low beside her.
Watch Jackie stay beside Sandy and Luna as heavy winds move through the Big Bear eagle nest.
Watch Live <—— nest & approach cams
Sandy and Luna Are Growing, But Jackie Still Knows When to Stay
Sandy and Luna are in that remarkable stage where eaglets begin to look less like babies and more like young eagles preparing for independence. Their dark feathers are coming in thick, their feet are large, and their bodies now take up a surprising amount of room in the nest.
Still, the windy nights showed that growth does not end the bond in the nest.
Jackie stood in the middle of the scene with Sandy and Luna close at her sides. Her white head rose above them while their darker feathers blended into the nest bowl. The arrangement said everything without needing a dramatic chase or loud warning call: mother in the center, eaglets tucked low, weather pushing through the tree.
There was no room for the old version of brooding, so Jackie created a new one. She used her body as a windbreak and her position in the nest as a quiet command to stay low.
The Nest Shifted in the Heavy Wind
The heavy wind shaped both nights from the beginning. Branches moved, sticks shifted, and the nest took on the restless look that comes when mountain weather presses from every side.
Jackie stayed.
At times, she tucked her head as if trying to rest. Then she lifted it again, alert to sound and movement around the nest. Sandy and Luna remained close, no longer small enough to be hidden, but still near enough to be sheltered.
Jackie was not guarding eggs. She was not covering newly hatched chicks. She was standing with two large eaglets who are already nearing the next chapter of their lives.
And still, when the heavy winds came through Big Bear, Jackie answered the only call that mattered: Sandy and Luna still needed her close.
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A Mother’s Role Changes, But It Does Not Disappear
Sandy and Luna are growing quickly, and the nest already carries the feeling of change. Every stretch, flap, and step around the bowl hints at what is coming. Soon, their world will become larger than the nest. The branches will matter more. The air beyond the tree will begin calling.
For now, they are still Jackie’s eaglets.
These windy nights in Big Bear showed a quieter part of that story. Jackie did not need to gather them beneath her to prove anything. She simply came close, stayed steady, and held her place while the gusts moved through the tree.
Sandy and Luna may be almost grown, but before those windy nights were done, Jackie’s instinct had answered every gust.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley make this live cam experience possible, offering a rare look at the daily life of Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna in the Big Bear eagle nest. The video was recorded and shared on YouTube by SK Hideaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jackie protect Sandy and Luna during the heavy winds?
Jackie protected Sandy and Luna during heavy winds at the Big Bear eagle nest on May 26 and May 27, 2026.
Why did Jackie stay close to Sandy and Luna?
Jackie appeared to respond to the heavy wind gusts moving through the nest area. Although Sandy and Luna are much larger now, she still stayed close, blocked wind with her body, and kept watch through the night.
Were Sandy and Luna still young enough to be brooded?
Sandy and Luna are about seven weeks old. Jackie could no longer brood them the way she did when they were tiny. However, she could still stand near them, settle beside them, share warmth, and help shield them from the wind.
Where is the Big Bear eagle nest?
The Big Bear eagle nest is located in the Big Bear Lake area of Southern California.